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About this project

Indie Manga from the Tokyo Underground has been brought to you by GEN Manga over the last couple of years and, we have to say, it's been great! We have given you a real authentic look into Tokyo's indie manga scene. But now printing costs are skyrocketing and we need your help to continue bringing you physical books! Digital is convenient and cheap, but the feel of physical paper in your hand is second to none. So we want to give you, the reader, a choice to own the printed page. We want indie manga in print and available to readers everywhere, but first it needs to be printed, shipped, and distributed. And that can be costly! So we are asking for your help in making it possible. Thank you so much for supporting real indie manga!

Sorako has been one of our fan favorites and we've received countless emails asking, "When will there be a collected graphic novel?" or "When will there be new chapters?" Well, now there are both! An all new chapter, new artwork and the complete series revamped and collected in one single tankobon!

Fujimura Takiyuki's Sorako looks like GEN's answer to Inio Asano's solanin, a slice-of-life story about a restless twentysomething girl and a lost dog. The round-headed style even looks a bit like Asano's work, but the characters are more likable. I'd love to see more from Takiyuki.

—MTV GEEK

The art of Sorako is fluid, quick, imprecise. Lines aren't
perfectly straight nor details entirely accurate, but the rough drafting style
gives the frames energy and character, enhancing the impression that the artist’s
goal is to tell Sorako’s story, blemishes and all.

—AnimeNation

Own the Manga About Nothing and help support indie manga! Thank you!

UPDATE #1: for all international supporters! We'll be glad to do the shipping if you pay the extra postage costs. All awards now available for International shipping. Thanks for the many inquires from our fans overseas!

UPDATE #2: Submit a new story line for Sorako!

Hey indie manga fans & KS supporters! Here’s a great opportunity for you to join Sorako’s world…if we reach our goal…all supporters will be eligible to submit their story ideas directly to our Editor-in-Chief for a new Sorako storyline. Sorako has been a favorite of many and everyone wants to know what happens next in her life adventure. Now, you can help create the adventure, too.
Help us to reach our goal and we’ll accept submissions for a new Sorako storyline from registered KS supporters only. Each submission will be reviewed and our editor will share his comments & feedback with you. If your storyline is accepted, you’ll be credited in the book!!!
So, help us to get the word out to all aspiring manga creators! Thanks!!!

UPDATE #3: You can be a Special Guest Translator for Gen Manga magazine!

Hey indie manga fans & KS supporters! Here’s a great opportunity for you to join GEN Manga’s translator team as a “Special Guest Translator” for our next scheduled GEN Manga magazine release. If we reach our goal…all supporters will be eligible to submit their sample translation portfolios directly to our Editor-in-Chief. Now, you can help introduce indie manga from the underground scene in Japan., too. Help us to reach our goal and we’ll accept submissions for Special Guest Translator from registered KS supporters only. Each submission will be reviewed and our editor will share his comments & feedback with you. One lucky KS supporter who’s translation skills, style and tone are selected by our Editor-in-Chief will be part of the translation team for the next issue of GEN Manga magazine. Also, you’ll be credited in the issue as our Special Guest Translator!!! So, help us to get the word out to all aspiring manga translators! Thanks!!!

UPDATE #4: Your original comic can be published by GEN Manga Entertainment!

Hey indie comics creators! Here’s a great opportunity for your original comic to debut in the pages of a magazine published by GEN Manga Entertainment, as a “Special Guest Artist.” If we reach our goal…all supporters will be eligible to submit their own original unpublished comic of choice for consideration by our Editor-in-Chief for publication in an upcoming GEN magazine. Now, you can be part of the original indie content GEN strives to introduce to the world, too.

Help us to reach our goal and we’ll accept submissions for “Special Guest Artist” from registered KS supporters only. Each submission will be reviewed and our editor will share his comments & feedback with you. One lucky KS supporter’s original indie comic will be selected by our Editor-in-Chief to be part of an upcoming GEN magazine. So, help us to get the word out to all aspiring manga translators! Thanks!!!

Sorako lives an ordinary life. And this is an ordinary story. She has friends and family, loves her dog, thinks about life, and occasionally looks for work (kinda). These are the adventures into a typical girl’s life.
Fujimura Takayuki
Featured GEN Issues: 04, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10

As a thanks to all our fans and friends who help make this printing possible we are giving:

UPDATE for all international supporters! We'll be glad to do the shipping if you pay the extra postage costs. All awards now available for International shipping. Thanks for the many inquires from our fans overseas!

Waking up...

1. GET a free PDF digital edition download of the completed SORAKO graphic novel via our website. AND... an exclusive wallpaper from the book. AND... your name on a special GEN website acknowledgement page. Thank you for supporting original indie manga!

Brushing teeth...

2. GET all of the above rewards PLUS... receive a digital download via our website of high-res concept artwork/extra artwork pages prepared for the original graphic novel.

Washing face...

3. GET all the above PLUS... receive digital access via our website to download the FIRST 16 issues of GEN Manga for FREE, which issues include the FIRST appearance of SORAKO as a digital monthly manga. AND...a bonus limited edition large format collectors postcard will be shipped directly to you, too!

Getting dressed...

4. GET all of the above PLUS... a FREE PRINT COPY of the completed SORAKO graphic novel with a LIMITED EDITION printrun collector’s cover!! Shipped directly to you!!!

Guess it's time to go work now...

5. GET all of the above PLUS... as a special CHEERS to all indie manga friends ... a LIMITED EDITION collector's SORAKO ceramic sake cup created to complement the release of the graphic novel! AND...your name printed in the completed SORAKO graphic novel on special acknowledgement thank you page!

...

6. GET all of the above PLUS... a FREE T-shirt created to complement our release of the completed SORAKO graphic novel. AND... you'll be invited to be join the small circle of our Kickstarter supporters who will have the chance to vote on which SORAKO T-shirt design will be released!!! Your opinion counts. :)

Sigh...alright here I am...

7. GET all of the above PLUS... a pass to NY COMIC CON 2013! Come see the completed SORAKO graphic novel ( with your name in it! ) being admired by manga fans from everywhere. AND...come visit us in person at the GEN Manga booth at the greatest comic & manga event in the world! You'll have a fun time & you will get to see your support of underground indie manga from Japan in action!

well, I guess I better get to work...

8. GET all of the above PLUS... one (1) original piece of hand-drawn SORAKO artwork from the limited edition cover artist! ! AND...GET special credit in the completed SORAKO graphic novel as an "Associate Producer" of the book!!!

What!? I'm working...kinda...

9. GET all of the above PLUS... one (1) more original piece of hand-drawn SORAKO artwork from the limited edition cover artist! ! AND... special credit in the completed SORAKO graphic novel as an "Executive Producer" of the book. Exclusive EXECUTIVE PERK...GET an invitation for you to have a special coffee chat with GEN Manga's Editor-in Chief and (subject to guest attendance) a special guest manga artist at NY COMIC CON 2013! Looking forward to chat with you & share the manga adventure together! No worries, we'll be glad translate for the guest manga artist in the event you don't speak Japanese. :)

Thank you for supporting original indie manga!!

Risks and challenges

There is a lot that goes into putting a book on sale. There is, of course, the creation and the design. Then there is the printing and the shipping. But also, you have a lot of other unseen forces like warehousing and distribution. All of these things need to be well coordinated in order for everything to go well and be on time. Anything can go wrong in a number of these areas. But at GEN Manga we a lot of experience dealing with this pesky system! So we will do our best to get you your books and get them to you on time!

FAQ

Support this project

Select this reward

Pledge $3 or more
About $3

GET a free PDF digital edition download of the completed SORAKO graphic novel via our website. AND... an exclusive wallpaper from the book. AND... your name on a special GEN website acknowledgement page. Thank you for supporting original indie manga!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $15 or more
About $15

GET all the above PLUS... receive digital access via our website to download the FIRST 16 issues of GEN Manga for FREE, which issues include the FIRST appearance of SORAKO as a digital monthly manga. AND...a bonus limited edition large format collectors postcard will be shipped directly to you, too!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

[SAME AWARD AS $15 ABOVE – But this one permits INTERNATIONAL Shipping]

GET all the awards $15 backers get PLUS... receive digital access via our website to download the FIRST 16 issues of GEN Manga for FREE, which issues include the FIRST appearance of SORAKO as a digital monthly manga. AND...a bonus limited edition large format collectors postcard will be shipped directly to you, too!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $60 or more
About $60

GET all of the above PLUS... as a special CHEERS to all indie manga friends ... a LIMITED EDITION collector's SORAKO ceramic sake cup created to complement the release of the graphic novel! AND...your name printed in the completed SORAKO graphic novel on special acknowledgement thank you page!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

GET all of the above PLUS... a FREE T-shirt created to complement our release of the completed SORAKO graphic novel. AND... you'll be invited to be join the small circle of our Kickstarter supporters who will have the chance to vote on which SORAKO T-shirt design will be released!!! Your opinion counts. :)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $80 or more
About $80

[SAME AWARD AS $60 ABOVE – But this one permits INTERNATIONAL Shipping]

GET all the awards $60 backers get PLUS... as a special CHEERS to all indie manga friends ... a LIMITED EDITION collector's SORAKO ceramic sake cup created to complement the release of the graphic novel! AND...your name printed in the completed SORAKO graphic novel on special acknowledgement thank you page!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $95 or more
About $95

[SAME AWARD AS $75 – but this one permits INTERNATIONAL Shipping]

GET all the awards $75 backers get PLUS... a FREE T-shirt created to complement our release of the completed SORAKO graphic novel. AND... you'll be invited to be join the small circle of our Kickstarter supporters who will have the chance to vote on which SORAKO T-shirt design will be released!!! Your opinion counts. :)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $375 or more
About $375

GET all of the above PLUS... a pass to NY COMIC CON 2013! Come see the completed SORAKO graphic novel ( with your name in it! ) being admired by manga fans from everywhere. AND...come visit us in person at the GEN Manga booth at the greatest comic & manga event in the world! You'll have a fun time & you will get to see your support of underground indie manga from Japan in action!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $600 or more
About $600

GET all of the above PLUS... one (1) original piece of hand-drawn SORAKO artwork from the limited edition cover artist! AND...GET special credit in the completed SORAKO graphic novel as an "Associate Producer" of the book!!!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

GET all of the above PLUS... one (1) more original piece of hand-drawn SORAKO artwork from the limited edition cover artist! AND... special credit in the completed SORAKO graphic novel as an "Executive Producer" of the book. Exclusive EXECUTIVE PERK...GET an invitation for you to have a special coffee chat with GEN Manga's Editor-in Chief and (subject to guest attendance) a special guest manga artist at NY COMIC CON 2013! Looking forward to chat with you & share the manga adventure together! No worries, we'll be glad translate for the guest manga artist in the event you don't speak Japanese. :)